- According to him, the ruling party enjoys overwhelming numerical and organisational advantage across the country
- He noted that the APC equally boasts seasoned political heavyweights, citing former Senate Presidents such as Ahmad Lawan
- He challenged critics to provide evidence of any form of forced recruitment, promising to apologise if such proof emerged
With the 2027 general election in view, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has played down the threat posed by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), insisting the opposition party lacks the structure and strength to rival the ruling party.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Eko Hot Blog reports that Yilwatda said the ADC-led opposition coalition does not measure up to the APC in terms of political reach and manpower.
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According to him, the ruling party enjoys overwhelming numerical and organisational advantage across the country. He argued that for every individual aligned with the ADC, the APC has several loyal members spread across different states.
Yilwatda also brushed aside the influence of prominent opposition figures, including former Senate President and ADC national chairman, David Mark.
He noted that the APC equally boasts seasoned political heavyweights, citing former Senate Presidents such as Ahmad Lawan and others from the South East.
Responding to claims that the APC was under pressure from the growing opposition alliance, the party chairman denied allegations that civil servants were being coerced into joining the ruling party.
He challenged critics to provide evidence of any form of forced recruitment, promising to apologise if such proof emerged.
He further suggested that accusations of coercion could be a strategy by opposition parties to inflate their own numbers, rather than a reflection of APC activities.
Yilwatda maintained that the party was unfazed by reports that high-profile politicians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal, former Anambra State governor and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola, were aligning with the ADC.
He said the continuous defection of governors and political leaders from opposition parties to the APC underscores the ruling party’s dominance and enduring appeal nationwide.
In a separate interview on Trust TV, Yilwatda accused opposition parties of focusing more on media visibility than grassroots engagement. He said real political strength is built through sustained mobilisation at the community level, not through frequent television appearances.
According to him, the APC’s success is largely driven by quiet, strategic organisation across states, rather than public rhetoric, adding that opposition parties must invest in grassroots work if they hope to grow.
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